YANKTON, S.D. - The South Dakota Department of Transportation is proposing closure to off-road vehicles on two segments of ditches near Yankton on Highways 50 and 52.

The areas that may be placed off-limits are:

Highway 50 from Ferdig Avenue to Belair Road, from near mile marker 385 to near mile marker 388 in the north ditch

Highway 52 from Highway 50 to West City Limits Road, from near mile marker 332 to near mile marker 342 in both the north and south ditches.

Off-road vehicles have damaged vegetation and caused ditch erosion in those stretches. The proposed closures were initiated by a local request and have the concurrence of the Department of Transportation.

Ditch closures do not apply to snowmobiles, off-road vehicles used in normal agricultural operations, and service vehicles in the line of duty for utility companies.

The Transportation Commission will consider the proposed ditch closures at its Thursday, Oct. 25, meeting, beginning at 9 a.m. CDT in Room 200 of the Becker Hanson Building, 700 East Broadway Avenue in Pierre.

People interested in presenting data, opinions, and arguments for or against the proposed rules may do so in person at the hearing or by sending comments to: Operations Support, South Dakota Department of Transportation, 700 East Broadway Ave., Pierre, SD 57501.